Surf's Up in Hawaii

Mark Healey of Hawaii takes a spill down the face of a large wave in the second heat of The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009. The surfing contest that is held only in extreme conditions is on for the first time in five years, thanks to the massive waves pounding Oahu's famed North Shore.

Carlos Burle, left, of Brazil, Jamie O'Brien, center, of Hawaii, and Kala Alexander, right, of Hawaii drop down the face of a wave in the first heat of the The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf at Waimea Bay, located on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.

Andy Irons of Hawaii is about to swallowed up by this wave during heat one of the second round of The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.

Kelly Slater of Florida drops down the face of a wave during the second round, heat two, of the The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest at Waimea Bay, located on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.

Kelly Slater of Florida rides a wave all the way to the shore during the second round, heat two, of the The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.

Five surfers drop down the face of a large wave at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest was postponed until the next day because the surf did not reach the 30- to 40-foot wave requirement.

Three surfers drop down the face of a wave at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of the island of Oahu, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest was postponed until the next day because the surf did not reach the 30-40 foot wave high requirement. The invitation-only surf contest has taken place only seven times in its 25-year history.